Tufano Media Blog

​“With us two together, I like our odds any day of the week,” says police officer Greg Tucker from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department when talking about his police dog, Lord. The connection between a police officer and his or her K9 dog is like no other – and a new unscripted crime drama, True Blue K9, provides unprecedented, full access to the lives of these officers and their dogs, both at work and at home.

This show illuminates the human side of policing, providing a brutally honest look at the men and women who protect us and the personal challenges, struggles and fears they face. These officers are sons and daughters, husbands and wives and lovers, fathers and mothers, willing to reveal their vulnerable sides, one you seldom see. This unscripted true crime drama also captures the unique relationship between officers and the dogs they depend on in life and death situations.

Policing in the Community

K9 officers and their dogs play a unique role in protecting communities. These crime fighting teams are inseparable. They develop a rhythm, a cadence and familiarity that few of us will ever experience. Partners that literally rely on each other to survive in a society that has become increasingly dangerous. This drama gives you an honest perspective from the officers who are charged with keeping our communities safe. Some of those officers quite honestly find themselves questioning why they ever took that oath to serve. They find it demoralizing policing in a society that increasingly analyzes, scrutinizes and criticizes the action of law enforcement at every turn.These are challenging issues to confront and True Blue K9 takes on the challenge.

​Behind the Scenes of True Blue K9

This compelling show is a collaboration between Rob Tufano, former award winning television journalist and Communications Director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Brian White, Director of New Media at MediaZeus. “Both of us,” Brian says, “have a background in television and a storytelling nature. When it was confirmed that we could have full access to the officers, both at work and at home, we knew that we needed to capture the little-known personal side of policing. These officers have families they care deeply about, and their families care deeply about them, and it’s important to show that. These men and women are literally the living, breathing thin blue lines that keep us – and our families and communities – safe.

Rob Tufano

​Rob is the founder of Tufano Media. As a media coach, he develops effective communicators in law enforcement. He served as a police officer with the New York City Police Department for more than 11 years. His job? Patrolling Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan before beginning a career as a television news crime reporter.

​Tufano says” “We’re working hard to show the human side of policing. These men and women who serve have struggles, challenges and fears just like the rest of us. They laugh, cry and bleed the same as you and me. These aren’t uniformed robots protecting us, they’re people doing a job. True Blue captures the “people”side of the profession and gives you access like never before.”

Brian White

​Brian is a visionary entrepreneur with over 15 years of professional experience as a creative video consultant and video marketing strategist. His passion for storytelling combined with his expertise in video technology is key when creating this gritty unscripted documentary.

​Officers and Their Calling

These officers – who put their lives on the line to fulfill their calling to serve – have allowed us into their lives, and their names are:

Officer Greg Tucker, who is married to Amy and the father of a young son who thinks his daddy is a hero for catching the bad guys. Greg openly admits how he agonizes over whether he’s made the right choice to serve in the dangerous field of law enforcement, while his wife shares how she suffers from worry over her husband’s safety, and how it affects their marriage. Greg and his K9 partner, Lord, are extremely active, working third shift.

Officer Darrell Brown and his wife Ashley share their unique experiences as they both serve as police officers. Each brings teenaged children from previous marriages into their household, which adds drama and conflict into the home. Darrel and his K9 partner, Addie, face risks regularly as they provide bomb sweeps at major sporting events, concerts, visits from dignitaries and more.

Officer Emily Acker-Estes and her K9 partner Brooke work tirelessly to keep the nearly one million people of the 438-square-mile Charlotte-Mecklenburg area safe.

Snapshot of the First Eight Months of 2017

​In just five months, these canine officers have responded to 489 different deployments, each one coming with significant potential risk. Most of these involve tracking suspects who are fleeing the law, usually violent men and women wanted for robberies, shootings and murders – and these relentless canines have apprehended 61 suspects to date. In 2016, they tracked down 181 of them, with their police officer handlers never certain where their day’s journey would lead them – or how their day might end.

What will happen during the rest of the year and beyond? Nothing is certain when you’re a police officer, so we don’t know. But we do know that we will be there to capture crucial moments on video, and then share them with you.

​How You Can Help

If this intrigues you and you’re willing to help, please do the following:

Watch the video.

Let us know what you think – and, yes. We really want to know what you think!

Share the post with everyone and invite them to send us feedback, as well.

The goal is to get a television network to invest in the production of this important unscripted drama.

I was a CMPD officer for almost 20 years. I was always amazed with the K-9's and their handlers. I think it would be a great thing to share with the public what an asset these special teams are for the Department. They are an invaluable tool and they work so hard. Awesome idea!

Reply

Kerry Neely

8/24/2017 07:00:48 am

This would be a wonderful series. Many people don't realize the importance of K-9's and just consider them as mean dogs. That could not be further from the truth. The handler and K9 bond is so tight that they can almost think as one. The public needs to understand what these men, women and dogs actually do and how hard they have to train. Please make a television series! I rescue retired K9's when they can't be kept by their handlers so this is a something very close to my heart.

Reply

Linda Fadel

8/22/2017 04:46:28 pm

Great idea! People do noit think of police officers as real humans...with families! The K-9 unit will put another and interesting spin on it. Dogs are popular...more than officers!

Reply

Scott Kish

8/22/2017 05:48:34 pm

This is a Great Idea!! It not only shows the daily job of a K9 Officer, but also shows that they have families and are just like the rest of us. This definitely needs to go into production.

Reply

Sarah

8/22/2017 06:04:20 pm

My dad was a k9 handler since I was a baby! This is so super important for the public to see. Awesome job, and I really hope this show gets picked up!

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Triola

8/22/2017 10:12:04 pm

Absolutely amazing!! Love it!!

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Shari H

8/23/2017 03:15:06 am

Love this, know one of these officers personally, he calls me his other mom. Have so much love and respect for this young man and the job he does. May he be blessed and kept safe as he and his dog do their job.

More important than ever in this day and time for the public to see what these men and women go through and the human side of their lives. They also need to see the special bond and exceptional work these K9s and their handlers share. This is definitely a show I would watch on a regular basis!!

Reply

Tammy Whisnant

8/23/2017 05:07:03 am

I have very close friends that are in law enforcement. From what I have seen in just the 3 minute video this is something I would watch every week. These men, women & animals put their lives on the line every day. Awesome job need more.

Reply

Kim Buchanan

8/23/2017 11:33:06 am

Was with CMPD for 24 years, remember our 1st K9. Best thing that ever happened to the PD. I'd watch every episode.

I'm watching the trailer heart racing and wanting to know when the series starts!! This is a must see.. please pick this up ❤️❤️😆

Reply

Angela Shipman

8/25/2017 04:49:44 am

OMG...I think a series like this is needed! I live in FL...and I know people that have k-9's. However, it's more than that...it's about having each other's backs in the line of duty! I TNT and other networks host these kind of shows a lot...I really want to see this happen!

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